Nail polish kit

ABSTRACT

Embodiments of the present disclosure are related to a nail polish kit including a stem, a plurality of interchangeable applicator elements where one applicator element is configured to connect to the stem at a time, an overcap that is configured to connect to the stem and a tray that holds the stem, the overcap and the plurality of interchangeable applicator elements. The distal end of the stem includes a threaded component that corresponds to a threaded component of a proximal end of the applicator element, that can be coupled and decoupled and each of the plurality of interchangeable applicator elements have a different type of application mechanism from each of the other plurality of application elements.

BACKGROUND

Fingernail art is the process of making designs, pictures, and the likeon fingernails. In order to create various design and pictures, nailpolish needs to be applied to specific areas of a fingernail bydifferent types of brushes and applicators. A user may require the useof several different types of nail polish applicators, brushes and thelike, to create intricate nail art designs.

SUMMARY

Embodiments of the present disclosure are related to a nail polish kitincluding a stem, a plurality of interchangeable applicator elementswhere one applicator element is configured to connect to the stem at atime, an overcap that is configured to connect to the stem and a traythat holds the stem, the overcap and the plurality of interchangeableapplicator elements. The distal end of the stem includes a threadedcomponent that corresponds to a threaded component of a proximal end ofthe applicator element, that can be coupled and decoupled and each ofthe plurality of interchangeable applicator elements have a differenttype of application mechanism from each of the other plurality ofapplication elements.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A more complete appreciation of the invention and many of the attendantadvantages thereof will be readily obtained as the same becomes betterunderstood by reference to the following detailed description whenconsidered in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1A illustrates nail polish kit according to one example;

FIG. 1B illustrates applying paint to a fingernail;

FIGS. 2A-2C illustrate an assembly of an overcap, a stem, and aapplicator tip for applying nail polish;

FIGS. 3A-3B illustrate the overcap;

FIGS. 4A-4B illustrate a stem, which connects to the overcap;

FIGS. 5A-5C illustrate an applicator tip, which connects to the stem;and

FIGS. 6A-6I illustrate a variety of different applicator tips, each tiphaving a different application method for applying nail polish.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Fingernail art is the process of making designs, pictures, and the likeon fingernails. In order to create various design and pictures, nailpolish needs to be applied to specific areas of a fingernail bydifferent types of applicator mechanisms. For example, brushes,spherical balls, points, and the like. Furthermore, the surfaces of theapplicators may be modified to create different surface textures orspecifically shaped to dispense substrates onto the fingernail. Surfacemodification of the applicators may be important to drive thedevelopment and application of nail polish with different chemicalpolarity and binding properties.

Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to a versatile nailsystem that allows a user to use a single cap with a variety ofdifferent types of applicator mechanisms. The applicators areinterchangeable with the cap, and allow the user to switch out oneapplicator mechanism with another applicator mechanism to applydifferent textures, styles and details to specific areas of afingernail. This way, the user does not need to have a multitude ofcaps, each cap with its own unique application mechanism.

Referring now to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals designateidentical or corresponding parts throughout the several views.

FIG. 1A illustrates a nail polish kit in accordance with one exemplaryembodiment. The nail polish kit 100 includes an applicator assembly. Theapplicator assembly includes an overcap 300, a stem 400, and a pluralityof applicator tips 500. The overcap 300 is adapted to fit on aconventional nail polish bottle 102. The stem 400 is adapted to attachor connect to the inner portion of the overcap 300. However, the presentdisclosure is not so limited, and the overcap 300 and the stem 400 maybe a singular continuous piece.

In an embodiment, the overcap 300 removably attaches to the stem 400. Inan embodiment, the overcap 300 removably attaches to the stem 400 via atleast one of a bayonet coupling structure, a friction fit couplingstructure, a snap fit coupling structure, or a threaded couplingstructure having one or more substructures adapted to coupled to acorresponding bayonet coupling structure, friction fit couplingstructure, snap fit coupling structure, or threaded coupling structureon the stem 400. In an embodiment, the overcap 300 is configure toremovably attach to the stem 400 by a bayonet coupling, a friction fitcoupling, a snap fit coupling, or a threaded coupling.

The stem 400 is also adapted to attach or connect to one of theplurality of available applicator tips 500. The plurality of applicatortips 500 allow for user to choose from a variety of nail polishapplicators for applying nail polish to a fingernails. In an embodiment,a tip 500 can take a variety of shapes, configurations, or geometries,including, but not limited to, polygonal, spherical, cylindrical,conical, parabolic, regular or irregular forms.

The application of nail polish is illustrated in FIG. 1B. The presentdisclosure is not limited to the application of nail polish, as a numberof different types of solvents could be applied to fingernails. Withinthe nail color and nail care categories, solvents include acetone-basedformulas, gels, oils, creams, waxes, or a combination. Some of theseproducts contain highly volatile chemicals so the selected material usedin the applicator must be durable enough to withstand the differentsolvents. Synthetic polymers including LDPE (low density polyethylene),TFE (tetrafluoroethylene), PMP (polymethyl methacrylate (acrylic)), andPFA (polyfluoroalkoxy) are a few plastics that have shown good chemicalresistance to acetone at various temperatures. These plastics can bepre-treated to accommodate the solvents.

In an example, each applicator tip 500 can have a different applicatormechanism 110. Each applicator mechanism 110 has its own individualproperties, such as size, shape, application method, material, and thelike. The nail polish kit can have a multitude applicator tips, eachwith its own unique applicator mechanism. Alternatively, some of theapplicator tips could have the same applicator mechanism, but of adifferent size. For example, a thin brush and a wide brush. Theseapplicators will be described in more detail later in the specification.

The nail polish kit 100 further includes a tray 104 for housing all ofthe various components of the nail polish kit 100. The tray 104 can bemade of plastic, or any other suitable material. The tray 104 caninclude plurality of depressions that house each individual component.For example, there can be a depression 108 for the overcap 300 and stem400 assembly. A plurality of depressions 106 for the various applicatortips 500. The tray 104 can further include a plurality of depressions orwells 110, for holding different nail polishes, for example, differentcolors of nail polish. This can help prevent contamination betweendifferent polishes and also allow the user to only put in the amount ofnail polish needed in each well, in order to prevent waste. The kit canfurther include a tray cap. The tray cap is configured to fit on top ofthe tray 104 and be secured to the tray 104. The tray cap can hold eachindividual component in place, when the components are stored in thetray 104. The tray cover also seals the wells 110, so that any nailpolish placed in the wells are sealed, so that the nail polish will notdry out, or spill out of the wells 104.

FIGS. 2A-2C illustrate the nail polish applicator assembly 200. Asdescribe above, the nail polish applicator assembly 200 includes threedifferent parts, the overcap 300, the stem 400, and the applicator tip500. FIG. 2A illustrates an exploded view of the nail polish applicatorassembly 200 and how each of the components fit together. FIG. 2Cillustrates a cross-sectional view of the nail polish applicatorassembly 200 according to the cross-section line 2C.

FIG. 3A illustrates the overcap 300 and FIG. 3B illustrates across-sectional view of the overcap 300. The overcap 300 has acylindrical shape with an opening 306 at a first end, with an internalcavity. The overcap 300 may have internal threads 302 within theinternal cavity of the overcap 300 that are engagable with externalthreads of a nail polish bottle. The overcap 300 may also include aninternal coupling 304 that is above the internal threads 302 andattaches the overcap 300 to the stem 400. The stem connects to theovercap via friction fit as seen in FIG. 2C, whereas the stem is asofter material that is press fit into the cavity of the of the overcap.The overcap 300 is a size that enables a user to adequately hold theovercap 300 in their hand and be able to apply nail polish tofingernails.

FIG. 4A illustrates the stem 400 and FIG. 4B illustrates across-sectional view of the stem 400. A first end 402 of the stem 400couples with the overcap 300. In another embodiment, the overcap 300 andthe stem 400 may be single piece and be integral with each other.

The second end 404 of the stem 400 has external threads 406. Theexternal threads 406 are engageable with the plurality of applicatortips 500. The use of threads enables a friction fit. A friction fitcreates a secure fit between the stem 400 and the applicator tip 500. Asecure fit helps ensure that when the user is applying nail polish tofingernails that the fit does not wobble or become loose and cause touser to make a mistake when applying nail polish. Some connections maynot be ideal for connecting the stem 400 to the applicator tip 500. Forexample, a magnetic connection might be easily disconnected during theapplication of nail polish to fingernails. If the connection isdisconnected, the user may make an error when applying the nail polish.This can create problems in nail art, as a mistake that occurs when theuser has almost completed the nail art on a particular fingernail, maycause the user to have to redo the nail art on that fingernail, andwaste the users time. Therefore, the secure connection helps ensure thatthe connection does not creates problems for the user while applyingnail polish to the fingernail.

FIG. 5A illustrates an exemplary applicator tip 500, FIG. 5B illustratesa cross-sectional view of the applicator tip 500, and FIG. 5Cillustrates a bottom view of the applicator tip 500.

The exemplary tip illustrated in FIG. 5A has a first end 502 and asecond end 504. The second end 504 has a spherical ball 506. Thespherical ball 506 enables the user to dip the ball 506 into nail polishand then apply the ball 506 to a specific location on the fingernail tomake lines other different shapes.

FIG. 5B illustrates a cross-sectional view of the applicator tip 500illustrated in FIG. 5A. The applicator tip 500 contains internal threads508 within the first end 502. The internal threads 508 are engagablewith the external threads 406 of the stem 400. When the stem 400 and theapplicator tip 500 are engaged, a friction fit is created. Mechanicalfastening, snap fit, bayonet, and threads as discussed for this designare some common types of inexpensive, non-permanent assembly techniquesthat can form a frictional lock between the mating parts. The use of afriction fit is beneficial, as it ensures the connections between thestem 400 and the applicator tip 500. A loose connection could cause auser to make a mistake while applying nail polish to fingernails. Forexample, a slight bump might cause the connection to loosen and causethe user to make a mistake while painting. If the user makes a mistakewhile doing nail art, the mistake can ruin the nail art the user ismaking, which can result in lost time for the user, if the user needs todo the nail again.

Different applicator tips 500 are interchangeable with the overcap 300and stem 400 assembly. Rather than having a multitude of caps, each caphaving a corresponding brush, the applicator tips are interchangeablewith the overcap 300 and stem 400 assembly. Because each tip does nothave its own individual cap, storage of the applicator tips is morecompact. Plus, additional materials are not needed for the manufacturingof each individual cap and tip.

FIGS. 6A-6I illustrate a plurality of different applicator tips 500. Thepresent disclosure is not limited to the applicator tips 500 illustratedin FIGS. 6A-6I, but is merely to illustrate a variety of differentapplicator tips 500 and application mechanisms that could beincorporated into the nail polish kit.

FIGS. 6A-6C illustrate spherical balls of differing size, ranging fromsmall in FIG. 6A to large in FIG. 6C. The size of the spherical ballenables the user to obtain different applications of nail polish. Asmaller ball enables the user to paint with finer detail in comparisonto a larger ball. FIG. 6D illustrates a sharp point that enables theuser to apply nail polish in fine detail. FIG. 6E illustrates a dualspherical ball applicator. The dual spherical ball applicator enablesthe user to draw parallel lines.

FIGS. 6F-6I illustrate different type of applicator brushes. Each brushenables to the user to apply nail polish in a different manner. Forexample, FIG. 6F illustrates a conventional nail polish brush, forapplying nail polish to the whole fingernail. FIG. 6G illustrates abrush with short bristles. FIG. 6H illustrates a detail brush thatenables to the user to paint fine details and lines. FIG. 6I illustratesa brush with wide bristles for painting large amount of the fingernailat a single time. Brushes may be composed of natural hair or syntheticfibers which can further affect the quality and application of thepolish. Synthetic fibers are more easily mass produced but do not havethe tapered tip as in natural hairs to create fine points. Thesematerials used in nail applicator brushes should be able to withstandthe volatile chemicals may be present in nail polish.

Obviously, numerous modifications and variations of the presentinvention are possible in light of the above teachings. It is thereforeto be understood that within the scope of the appended claims, theinvention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically describedherein.

What is claimed is:
 1. A nail polish kit, comprising: a stem; aplurality of interchangeable applicator elements where one applicatorelement is configured to connect to the stem at a time; an overcap thatis configured to connect to the stem; and a tray that holds the stem,the overcap and the plurality of interchangeable applicator elements,wherein a distal end of the stem includes a threaded component thatcorresponds to a threaded component of a proximal end of the applicatorelement, that can be coupled and decoupled, wherein each of theplurality of interchangeable applicator elements have a different typeof application mechanism from each of the other plurality of applicationelements.
 2. The nail polish kit of claim 1, wherein the connectionbetween the stem and the applicator element is a friction fit.
 3. Thenail polish kit of claim 1, wherein the tray contains a plurality ofwells for housing individual colors of nail polish.
 4. The nail polishkit of claim 1, wherein the overcap has internal threads that areconfigured to be connected to a bottle of nail polish.
 5. The nailpolish kit of claim 1, wherein one of the plurality of applicatorelements has two spherical balls as the applicator mechanism forapplying nail polish.
 6. The nail polish kit of claim 1, wherein one ofthe plurality of applicator elements has a brush as the applicatormechanism for applying nail polish.
 7. The nail polish kit of claim 1,wherein the overcap has a cylindrical shape.
 8. The nail polish kit ofclaim 1, further comprising a tray cap that secures to the tray andfurther secures the overcap, the stem, and the plurality ofinterchangeable applicator elements in the tray.
 9. The nail polish kitof claim 3, further comprising a tray cap that secures the overcap, thestem, the plurality of interchangeable applicator elements, and the nailpolish in the plurality of wells.
 10. The nail polish kit of claim 1,wherein the tray is fabricated of thermoform plastic.
 11. A nail polishapplicator apparatus comprising: an overcap; a stem with a first end anda second end, the first end configured to be removably attachable withan internal component of the overcap; and a plurality of applicatortips, each applicator tip having a first end and a second end, the firstend of each applicator tip configured to be removably attachable to thesecond end of the stem by a friction fit, wherein, the second end ofeach applicator tip has a different type of applicator structure fromeach of the other plurality of applicator tips, and wherein theplurality of applicator tips are interchangeable with the stem, enablinga selection of any of the plurality of applicator tips with a specificapplicator structure for application of nail polish.
 12. The nail polishkit of claim 11, wherein at least one of the plurality of applicatortips comprises a nail polish texturizing component.
 13. The nail polishkit of claim 11, wherein at least one of the plurality of applicatortips comprises an appliqué applying component.
 14. The nail polish kitof claim 11, wherein at least one of the plurality of applicator tipscomprises a second end including parallel structures for application ofnail polish.
 15. The nail polish kit of claim 11, wherein at least oneof the plurality of applicator tips comprises a second end including ageometric shape.
 16. The nail polish kit of claim 11, wherein at leastone of the plurality of applicator tips comprises a second end includinga plurality of geometric shapes.
 17. The nail polish kit of claim 11,wherein at least one of the plurality applicator tips comprises a secondend including a hydrophobic coating.
 18. The nail polish kit of claim11, wherein at least one of the plurality of applicator tips comprises asecond end including a hydrophilic coating.
 19. The nail polish kit ofclaim 11, wherein the first end of each applicator tip is sized anddimensioned to be removably attachable to the second end of the stem bya bayonet coupling.
 20. The nail polish kit of claim 11, wherein thefirst end of each applicator tip is sized and dimensioned to beremovably attachable to the second end of the stem by one or morethreaded structures.